Streams of Prayer for April 19, 2021
The Streams of Prayer for April 19, 2021, is a circular from Wycliffe Global Alliance. This is available through Wycliffe Caribbean.
Missions belong to God and the agent of missions is the Church. Please join with us as we pray for Alliance organisations engaged in the Church Participation Stream. We pray also for the Church as it participates in the Bible translation movement.
One day for ATALTRAB: Chad
Praise God that despite COVID restrictions, staff from the Chadian Association of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (ATALTRAB) have connected with churches in Chad to share the vision for Bible translation in the first part of 2021. Friday, 23 April is ATALTRAB’s 28th anniversary. Special events are planned in partner churches called One day for ATALTRAB. Pray that all the staff involved in presenting this initiative would communicate enthusiastically and clearly. Pray for each of the churches where this special event will take place. Ask God to motivate them to commit to supporting Bible translation in a new way.
Using translated Scriptures: Papua New Guinea and Pacific
Praise the Lord for translated Scriptures given to language communities in the Pacific. When Bible translation takes place in a language community, there are shifts in the spiritual realm that bring change and transformation. So pray for pastors and church leaders to be diligent and good workers who do not need to be ashamed, and who correctly explains the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) as they use translated Scriptures in church services and Christian gatherings. Pray also for the Holy Spirit to stir people’s hearts and draw them to the Lord as they hear God’s Word in their own languages.
Bible translation encourages unity: Papua New Guinea
Many language communities in Papua New Guinea have more than one church denomination present. A Bible translation project in a language community provides the opportunity for churches to work together. Pray for churches to participate in the Bible translation process and work in unity where there is more than one denomination in a language community. Praise the Lord for pastors and leaders who have committed themselves to participate in Bible translation. Pray for wisdom and understanding for translation teams when relating to one another across denominations. Pray Psalm 133 over translation projects that are in this scenario.
Translated Scripture brings light: Cameroon and Canada
Wycliffe Canada held an online Scripture celebration on 27 February. One of the programme’s featured projects was the Bambalang New Testament finished in Cameroon last year. Emmanuel, a man from a Cameroonian church, had attended the festivities celebrating the New Testament. As he heard the Word, Emmanuel said, a light turned on in his heart. “I thought I knew Scripture,” he said, “but now that I have seen it in my language, I realise how much I do not know. I have been empty, I have been in darkness.” He gave his life to Christ. Now he is a Scripture promoter in his church and community. Since he has encountered the light, he helps others engage with Scripture through their language, Bambalang. Thank God for Wycliffe Canada’s involvement with this New Testament, through the provision of staff, as well as prayer and financial support. So pray that this New Testament will impact the lives of many more people and churches.
Engaging churches in Bible translation: Brazil
JMM is a denominational mission organization in Brazil, which relates to nearly 12,000 churches in the country. The organization is in constant contact with the churches, promoting missions work. JMM representatives portray the work of Bible Translation as an essential part of reaching out to those unreached with the gospel. JMM has been committed since 2016 to work within the Wycliffe Global Alliance to promote Bible translation. So pray for JMM as they contribute to Bible translation through:
- Prayer
- Mobilization of missionaries to come alongside indigenous language communities in the translation of oral Bible stories
- Planting churches that will join the Bible translation effort.
Church partnerships: Philippines
Translators Association of the Philippines (TAP) partners with churches in the Philippines as they serve indigenous people groups through Bible translation and language development. Praise the Lord for the recent online meeting God’s Word for All – Together for Transformation, a joint partnership building programme initiated by and for Asia-Pacific Alliance organisations and partners. This initiative highlighted a number of language and translation projects. For TAP, the Ayta Ambala translation project was in focus for the event. Ask the Lord to open new funding channels for Bible translation and to provide partnership building teams with new insights and creativity. Pray also for new partners in the Bible transition ministry to have a fuller understanding of the needs in missions in the Philippines and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Missional spirituality: South Korea
Global Bible Translators (GBT) is focused on missional spirituality as they dedicate themselves to God’s mission by serving alongside partner churches. Missional spirituality is a rhythm of inward and outward life that seeks to love God and love our neighbour with the life of Christ as an example. Pray for humility and courage as GBT staff pursue closer partnerships with the churches in South Korea. GBT also bridges relationships between supporting churches in South Korea and other countries with the same passion for Bible translation. So ask the Lord for favour and deep understanding for all involved. Pray also for staff members of GBT, as part of the church, to continue ministering with love and passion as they serve the Lord in this way.
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